RUGBY WORLD CUP Warriors disappointed after third heavy defeat

LIEGH SPORTING VILLAGE, England:

Touchdowns from Mo Agoro and Jordan Andrade could not hide tinges of disappointment as Jamaica ended their maiden Rugby League World Cup participation with a third heavy defeat.

Lebanon ran in 13 tries in reply, with winger Josh Mansour claiming hat-trick, to finish behind New Zealand in Group A and qualify for the quarter finals for the second consecutive time, playing co-favourites Australia at Huddersfield next Friday as a result.

The game began so promisingly for the tournament newcomers, but got away from them during a horrific spell in the first half when the Cedars scored four tries in an eight-minute spell and seven in 26 to take a 42-0 advantage into the break.

Winger Agoro scored a spectacular 50-metre breakaway from just inside his own half, while Andrade plunged over for a late consolation after quick thinking from Joel Farell near the Lebanon posts, with James Woodburn Hall and Kieran Rush converting each score.

But the largely Australian-based heritage players, who make up the Middle Eastern side, added six more touchdowns of their own to run out comprehensive 74-12 winners.

Both country’s aims are largely the same, to lay down firm foundations which will expand the game in their own nations and breed a new generation of homegrown players to take the game forward.

Lead coach Jermaine Coleman, a London-based teacher born in Leeds, who is passionate about that aim, admitted that a frailty in defence, not so evident previously in passionate displays against mighty former World Champions New Zealand or Ireland, led to the Reggae Warriors’ downfall.

Coleman stated, “Everyone felt that we let ourselves down massively, especially in the first half.

“Overall we feel it was a disappointing way to end the World Cup as we had a real opportunity to come out and perform and showcase the progress we have made throughout the tournament and unfortunately I don’t think we did today.”

Jamaica made an eye-catching start, immediately gaining possession from one of the unexpected short kick-offs that became a talking point following much success with the tactic against the Kiwis.

Alex Young was denied a try by a lengthy video replay, but the Warriors still forced an early goal-line drop out from the Cedars.

However, first time in the Jamaican half, Lebanon’s NRL (Australia’s premier professional competition) star Mitchell Moses broke clear down the right and passed for supporting Mikey Tannous to score and three more tries followed in a brief, but game-breaking period.

At 24-0 after just 14 minutes the Jamaican’s were shell-shocked and never fully recovered.

Coleman added, “The second half was better, we put in more effort and made the right choices, but overall it was a disappointing way to finish after making such a big impression.

“To be in the World Cup and play against the very best players is still an achievement for us and what we need now is to build the appetite for the game in Jamaica and for the authorities to get behind us and help.”

Jamaica are due to host qualification for the 2025 World Cup where they will face either Brazil or Chile plus the USA and Canada.

TEAMS:

Jamaica: Ben Jones-Bishop (Sheffield Eagles), Mo Agoro (Keighley Cougars), Alex Young (Workington Town), Jacob Ogden (York City Knights), James Woodburn-Hall (Halifax Panthers), Kieran Rush (Huddersfield Giants), Khamisi McKain (Duhaney park Red Sharks), Jy-Mel Coleman (unattached), Michael Lawrence (Huddersfield Giants), Keenan Tomlinson (Dewsbury Rams), Joel Farrell (Sheffield Eagles), Ashton Golding (Huddersfield Giants, captain). Substitutes: Joe Brown (Workington Town), AJ Wallace (Bradford Bulls), Chevaughn Bailey (Duhaney Park Red Sharks), Jordan Andrade (unattached).

Tries: Agoro (50), Andrade (66)

Goals: Woodburn-Hall 1/1, Rush 1/1

Lebanon: Adam Doueihi, Josh Mansour, Brandon Morkos, Reece Robinson, Abbas Miski, Khalid rajeb, Mitchell Moses (captain), James Roumanos, Mikey Tannous, Khalil Rahme, Elie El-Zakhem, Charbel Tasipali, Anrew Kazzi. Substitutes: Anthony Layoun, Jalal Bazzaz, Jaxsen Rahne, Tony Maroun.

Tries: Tannous (6), Miski (8, 80), El Zakhem (12), Robinson (14), Rajeb (23), Tasipale (27, 56), Monsour (32, 61, 71), Doueihi (45), Maroun (59).

Goals: Moses 7/7, Doueihi 4/6

Attendance 5,006